Demonstration and Performance Evaluation of Dual‐Purpose Sasso Chickens Under Agropastoral Management Conditions in Buldgilu District, Benishangul‐Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia

Poultry production plays a vital role in ensuring food security among agropastoralist communities. The study aimed to enhance farmers’ skills, raise awareness of Sasso chicken production, evaluate the breed’s performance under agropastoralist management, and assess farmers’ perceptions. Ten farmers were purposively selected based on their willingness to construct poultry houses, cover part of the costs, and record production data. Each household received 25 female and 5 male Sasso chickens aged 60 days. Training sessions provided instruction to farmers and extension agents on breed management and data collection procedures. All collected data are entered into Microsoft Excel for analysis. At 80 days, male and female chickens reached mean body weights of 0.84 ± 0.03 and 0.71 ± 0.05 kg, respectively. At 5 months, weights reached 2.68 ± 0.08 kg for males and 2.23 ± 0.04 kg for females, and at 7 months, weights reached 3.40 ± 0.04 for males and 2.60 ± 0.02 kg for females, respectively. The mean age at first egg laying was 179.4 ± 4.2 days, and the average daily egg production rate is 66.2%. During the first 4 months, mortality and survivability rates were 10.1% and 89.9%, respectively, and during the following 4 months, mortality and survivability rates were 3.37% and 96.63%, respectively. Sasso chicken production demonstrated profitability under farmers’ management, enabling the acquisition of practical skills and the generation of income with minimal inputs. The breed received acceptance due to disease tolerance, high egg production, and large body size. Feed costs, disease, and predation present the main challenges. Support from development agents, promotion of good management practices, and targeted training enhance productivity and long‐term benefits.